Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Physician (Regular Ft) - Deputy Associate Chief of Staff (DACOS) of Diagnostic Imaging Service (DIS) in Saint Louis, Missouri
Summary OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? Responsibilities This full-time position is the DACOS DIS (MD or DO) will cover both campuses John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks, with both clinical and administrative roles. As a leader of DIS, the DACOS DIS shares responsibility for the overall operation of DIS with the ACOS DIS and works under the direction of the ACOS DIS. The mission of DIS is to provide a continuum of quality radiology care to our Veterans. He/she shares the oversight of the clinical and administrative aspects of DIS with the ACOS DIS including budget and fiscal management, human resource management, strategic planning, and program development, assuring that the clinical and administrative functions are integrated to provide optimum utilization of the available resources. He/she ensures the quality and timeliness of the services provided, customer satisfaction, as well as compliance with standards of accrediting bodies such as the Joint Commission and the Inspector General's Combined Assessment Program. He/she ensures appropriate use of available resources and is responsible for inspiring, motivating, and guiding DIS staff in achieving the strategic goals and plans of the service. He/she collaborates with other ACOSs, DACOSs, and program managers, in fulfilling his/her responsibilities. The DACOS DIS will also function as a radiology doctor. He/she will be responsible for the overall medical care of patients with conditions requiring diagnostic and therapeutic imaging treatments to include consultative, prescriptive, and ordering authority in both the outpatient and inpatient settings within VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS). He/she is to ensure the quality and timeliness of the services provided and collaborate with referring providers. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Certain locations are deemed as 'Hard to Fill' and 'may' offer Recruitment Incentives, but such an Incentive is not guaranteed. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Certain locations are deemed as 'Hard to Fill' and 'may' offer Recruitment Incentives, but such an Incentive is not guaranteed. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Monday-Friday day with varying shifts, on-Call rotation is required; Holidays, and Weekends as needed. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. The DACOS DIS accomplishes health care delivery mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs in general. Services provided are subject to scrutiny by Congressional interests, service organizations, the public and the media. The DACOS DIS is to be a physician, board certified or board eligible in Radiology or Nuclear Medicine, having completed an appropriate residency or fellowship. Certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support is required. The DACOS DIS will be responsible for the following tasks: RESPONSIBILITIES: Administrative (50%): Share the responsibility for the overall management of DIS. This includes the organization of the administrative day-to day activities of DIS. Provide leadership and accountability for all aspects of the service, assuring support of the mission and values of VASTLHCS and VISN 15. Assume responsibility for carrying out the goals, objectives, and plans and policies established by the Medical Center Director (MCD). Ensure the service functions as an integrated care delivery system, providing a full continuum of patient-focused imaging services for Veterans. Utilize data about providers and available resources, to formulate strategic short term and long-range plans and goals for the service, and to address deficiencies. Plan, implement, and manage the Performance Improvement/QM programs within DIS. Formulate and implement general policies, procedures, standards, and goals and objectives for DIS that are consistent with, and supportive of, the mission of the VASTLHCS and VISN 15. Formulate and implement general budgets as needed, and plan for equipment and supply purchases including high-cost high technology equipment. Coordinate and integrate the interdepartmental functioning of DIS. This includes chairing relevant meetings. Complete performance appraisal and serve as approving official for the ratings of the DIS practitioners as delegated by the ACOS DIS. Ensure, with the assistance of discipline specific-subject matter experts, and the Medical Executive Board (MEB), that all DIS staff meet or exceed licensing requirements and clinical competencies in their fields. Approve provider leave, including review of conference relevance and approval if appropriate for educational purposes. VISN liaison for DIS issues, meetings, collaborative, and other activities as delegated by the ACOS DIS. Participation in National Collaborative activities including related meetings and others as assigned by the ACOS DIS. Clinical (50%) Assess, consult, and treat patients with radiology needs requiring opinion or intervention, in the outpatient and inpatient settings. The DACOS DIS is responsible for diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients in both settings, as appropriate for care of those patients. In some instances, the DACOS DIS will assess, diagnose, and make recommendations to other specialty services regarding management and follow-up of the patient. Interpretation of the testing and other specialty imaging to establish diagnosis and assist in management of radiology conditions. Assess the individual patient for appropriateness of procedures by evaluating the risks and benefits related to the patient's condition. Responsible for performing any radiology procedures covered under his/her credentials. Responsible for identification of radiology managed abnormalities to include, but not be limited to: core privileges contained in the credentials files. Makes clinical recommendations to specialty providers for follow up and management. Act as the consultant for patients referred to him/her for input regarding radiology medical opinion or intervention. The DACOS DIS will be responsible for the management of conditions requiring radiology intervention. When indicated the DACOS DIS will recommend transfer to a tertiary care center for risk reduction and to promote a safe outcome for the patient. Additional Requirement: Preferred Experience: The DACOS DIS is to be a physician, board certified or board eligible in Radiology or Nuclear Medicine, having completed an appropriate residency or fellowship. Certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support is required Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; Walking, 2 hours; Standing, 2 hours; Work closely with others; and work alone. Education Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.] NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.